Energy absorbing suspension equipment for rowing and general exercise machines

ABSTRACT

An exercise device or exercise device attachment with an energy absorbing component configured to change shape so as to absorb energy in response to a compressive force by the user. Said energy absorption component returns substantially to its first shape in response to the removal of the compressive force. The energy-absorbing apparatus is configured to reduce a reaction force exerted on the user of said exercise equipment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/146,829

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

Exercise Device 482/51, 72, 901

Conventional Indoor Rowing Machines (also referred to as “Ergometers” or “Ergs”) generally consist of a horizontally translating seat on rollers 3 riding on a rigid frame 1, a resistance device (typically a rotary device) 4 connected to a pull handle 10 also mounted in-line to the seat on said frame. Foot mounts or stretchers 5 are also positioned appropriately on the rigid frame. The user secures his or her feet to the stretchers 5 and with his or her legs, back, arms, and hands, pulls via the handle on the resistance device to approximate forces on the body similar to the on-water rowing experience. These devices are widely used by the rowing community throughout the year typically with peak usage in colder months.

The Ergs are used for training and for measuring progress of rowers' conditioning as they train over the winter months. During the rowing season, Ergs are used to supplement on-water workouts to maximize conditioning. In addition, among the competitive rowing teams, the “Erg scores” are used as selection criteria of rowers for the fastest boats in various competitions. Also Erg scores are used for comparison of rowers across the country as part of the selection process for the national team boats. These Erg machines are also used by the non-rowing community for general fitness.

2. Related Art

The rowing industry standard for Ergometers is the Concept2, manufactured by Concept2 in Morrisville, Vt. under U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,188, U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,674, U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,708. Numerous alternatives to this embodiment have been developed under such patents as U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,800, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,224, U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,013, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,011. Most Ergs have been developed on a stationary frame. A significant drawback to the stationary frame is that it does not provide the energy absorbing downward motion that is experienced in an on-water rowing craft. Numerous studies have indicated that there are a variety of injuries suffered by rowers training on Ergometers (“Impact of Ergometer Design on Hip & Trunk Muscle Activity”, Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 2005, “Rowing: Injury Prevention and Management”, Australian Institute of Sport).

In an effort to better simulate the on-water experience, the RowPerfect Ergometer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,210, was developed with frame and resistance elements that move with the rower in the horizontal direction. Additionally, Concept2 offers a slide as an accessory to their Ergometer to provide a similar horizontal motion. While the horizontal motion embodied in these two developments does improve the feel to a row on the water, they still do not provide any vertical energy absorption that the on-water experience also provides.

Another approach, U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,630, U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,589, attempts to maximize the exercise experience by varying the front and the back elevation of an Erg to provide an inclined path in both the drive and the recovery portion of the stroke. This design provides vertical movement but only as a fixed position not providing vertical compliance during the stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,469 employs the use of two hydraulic cylinders mounted to a collapsible foot linkage in the rear of a sculling ergometer. In concert with this linkage are two columns centrally mounted in line to the middle and front of the Erg frame. The purpose of this integrated Erg design is to provide a rocking motion that better simulates the on-water motion of a shell via the passive resistance of the hydraulic cylinder motion. Unlike a shock absorber which is claimed in this patent, hydraulic cylinders alone do not possess a restorative feature as a spring does in a shock absorber. Claim U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,469 does not possess a means to actively restore the hydraulic cylinders to their initial position. The claim described herein provides a variety of springs to absorb the energy as well as a means to actively restore the system to its original position in time for the next stroke. U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,469 also refers to a meter displaying the amount of exercise the user is doing on the Erg. It does not include any measurements referring to the quality of the motion by the user at the finish or catch as claimed in this invention.

Additional on-water experience add-on devices have been designed for the Ergometer that simulate the side to side roll motion that is experienced when on the water. One such device is an adaptation to the Erg seat, Core Perform (patent pending), that provides compliance about the fore and aft, or drive axis of the Erg. Another embodiment of this approach is WILLIS by Row Balance (patent pending) which features a pivot cradle that the Erg is placed in. This allows the entire Erg, not just the seat, to pivot about the drive axis also simulating the side to side motion experienced on the water.

To improve the Erg experience a number of parameters relating to Erg performance are measured and displayed on the Concept2 Erg monitor, the PM4 being the latest. A further refinement to displaying Erg performance has been developed by Digital Rowing Inc. in their RowPro 3D on-water animation software. This software takes the current Concept2 Erg performance and converts it into an on screen 3D rower competing against other animated rowers. None of these products or others reviewed in the market include finish or catch quality as part of their measurement/feedback algorithms.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention described herein relates to an Energy Absorbing Suspension Equipment (hereinafter also referred to by the acronym “EASE”) for use in conjunction with general exercise equipment. The energy-absorbing suspension equipment comprises: an energy absorbing component having a first shape in the absence of a force applied by a user, the energy absorbing component configured to change shape so as to absorb energy in response to application of a compressive force by the user, and configured to return to substantially its first shape in response to the removal of the compressive force; an attachment structure configured to connect the energy-absorbing suspension equipment to the exercise equipment; and an attachment structure configured to permit the energy-absorbing suspension equipment to be located on a rigid support. The energy-absorbing suspension equipment is configured to reduce a reaction force exerted on the user of the exercise equipment.

In one embodiment, the general exercise equipment comprises a rowing machine. In one embodiment, the rowing machine comprises an indoor rowing machine. In one embodiment, the energy absorbing component is configured to simulate the behavior of a shell operated on water. In one embodiment, the energy-absorbing suspension equipment is provided in combination with a rowing machine. In one embodiment, the energy-absorbing suspension equipment further optionally comprises guiding elements configured to constrain one or both of the radial motion and the lateral motion of the energy absorbing component in response to an application of the compressive force thereto. In one embodiment, the energy-absorbing suspension equipment further optionally comprises an enclosure positioned about the energy absorbing component. In one embodiment, one or more of the energy-absorbing suspension equipment are provided in combination with a general exercise machine; each of the one or more energy-absorbing suspension equipment connected to a support member of the general exercise machine.

In one embodiment, the energy-absorbing suspension equipment is provided in combination with a general exercise machine and a non-energy-absorbing suspension apparatus, the non-energy-absorbing suspension equipment configured to level the general exercise machine when applied in combination with the energy-absorbing suspension apparatus.

In one embodiment, the energy absorbing component comprises a selected one of an elastomer, a metal, a liquid and a gas. In one embodiment, the energy absorbing component comprises a shape selected from one of a tube, a strip, a ring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring, and a washer spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The forgoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis being placed on illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A shows an example of the rower in the ‘catch’ position using an existing Erg with an aftermarket embodiment of the EASE.

FIG. 1B shows the rower in the ‘finish’ position using an existing Erg with an aftermarket embodiment of the EASE.

FIG. 2A illustrates the EASE aftermarket design in a detailed assembly with an Elastomeric energy absorbing embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates the EASE aftermarket design in a detailed assembly with a typical spring energy absorbing embodiment.

FIG. 3 is the EASE product tree. It illustrates possible combinations of the finish and catch EASE apparatus with front or rear height supports and measurement/monitors for performance management.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While it is conventional to operate such indoor rowing machines inside a structure, there is in principle no reason why such a rowing machine cannot also be used in the outdoors, for example in a location where there is no conveniently located body of water of sufficient size to permit rowing a boat on water.

Conventional Ergs suffer from several deficiencies as compared to what is experienced in a rowing craft or boat (also referred to as a “Shell”):

-   -   Boat side to side balance or Set     -   Horizontal compliance (energy absorption) that is felt at either         end of the stroke (oar entry or Catch, as shown in FIG. 1A and         oar exit or Finish, as shown in FIG. 1B)     -   Buoyant compliance (energy absorption) at the Finish.

As mentioned previously, mechanisms that address the deficiencies related to boat balance and horizontal compliance have been offered by several Erg manufacturers. However, to date, buoyant absorption for the finish portion of the stroke has not been adapted to Erg designs for new machines or as after-market attachments for existing machines.

In the conventional Erg, the rower begins a stroke substantially in the position shown in FIG. 1A. The arms are extended and legs are sharply bent, the head and torso are tilted forward from the waist, and the seat is in a forward position in the boat. At the end of a stroke, the rower is substantially in the position shown in FIG. 1B. The arms are sharply bent and legs are extended, the head and the torso are tilted backward from the waist, and the seat is in a position that is rearward in the boat as compared to the seat position at the beginning of the stroke. As the rower finishes his or her stroke, the upper torso, head, and arms pivot about the lower back, so that the angular tilt of the head and torso are reversed, so as to be in the proper position to initiate the next stroke. This quick pivot results in an instantaneous change in acceleration or a jerk (which can be considered as a derivative of acceleration), of the upper body mass. A significant component of this jerk is seen as an axial compressive force on the rower's back.

This jerk is a consequence of the fact that the Erg frame rests on a hard floor surface that provides little or no energy absorption, nor does it allow motion as is experienced in a waterborne shell. Depending on the exercise goals of a user, it is common that one operates an Erg at a typical stroke rate in the range of 15 to 40 strokes per minute and Erg workouts ranging from 10 to 60 minutes in duration. Under such conditions, significant spinal compression can be experienced by the typical rower, which he or she would not be normally be subjected to in a rowing shell operated on water.

An EASE mechanism design is described here to provide the equivalent buoyant energy absorption experienced by on-water rowers, for the indoor rower. Some of the benefits and advantages of adding an EASE mechanism to an Erg are:

-   -   A significant reduction in axial compression of the lower back,         thereby reducing back pain and trauma frequently experienced by         indoor rowers.     -   A more realistic on-water feel to an Erg at the finish and or         the catch positions.     -   In addition to building fitness, the increased on-water feel         enhances the Erg experience by causing the rower to focus on         improving rowing technique.

One embodiment of this invention, the EASE, can either be applied as an integral component of an Erg as originally manufactured or can be provided as an attachment to a conventional Erg, as shown in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The attachment embodiment can also be applied more generally to exercise equipment that would normally be placed on or attached to a rigid support, such as a floor.

-   -   The following is a detailed description of the EASE function as         it applies to the after-market design: The EASE 2 comprises a         cradle 7 that locates and positions a foot of the Erg frame into         the EASE 2. In some embodiments, the EASE is connected to a         support member of the Erg, such as a back foot or a front foot.         The cradle is attached to the energy absorbing components 9,         which are in turn attached to the base enclosure 6. In some         embodiments, the compliant motion of the EASE may be guided by         such devices as rollers 8, slides, flexures, or any other         guiding mechanisms as may be deemed necessary to control the         lateral motion of the foot of an Erg that operates with the         EASE. The EASE is further connected to a rigid support, such as         a floor or the ground. The connection can be as simple as a flat         surface that provides a frictional connection to the rigid         support, or it can be more complex, for example, a spike, a nut         and bolt, a clamping mechanism, or some other structure         configured to prevent relative motion between the EASE and the         rigid support.     -   In some embodiments, the energy absorbing components can include         a variety of components such as elastomers of a variety of         materials in tube, strip, o-ring form, or other configurations         to suit the application. Alternately, the energy absorbing         component can be provided in the form of one or more springs 11,         as shown in FIG. 2B. The springs can be constructed of a variety         of materials and can be provided in the form of coil springs,         torsion springs, leaf springs, washers, or other geometrical         variations to suit the application. In other embodiments, one         can use a compressible fluid in an appropriate container.         Alternatively, incompressible fluids in compliant containers         could be used as an energy absorbing component in the EASE         application. In yet other embodiments, one can use shock         absorbers, resilient solid or foam shapes, gas springs, gas         bladders, and other energy absorbing components of similar type.         Composite energy absorbing components that can comprise any         combination of solid, liquid, and/or gaseous materials can be         deployed additionally to provide the appropriate compliant         characteristics for the EASE. For example, in the case of an         EASE that has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2A, the         cylinder can be fabricated as a series of closely fitting         cylinders of materials having different compliant properties. In         some embodiments, the compliance of the energy absorbing         components can be varied by replacing a component (such as a         particular cylinder layer) with a cylinder layer of the same         dimensions constructed from a material having different         resilient or compliant properties.     -   Optionally, a second EASE can be deployed on the front leg or         legs of the Erg to provide front compliance during the stroke,         as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. When a plurality of EASE         mechanisms are used, they can be mounted to operate         independently of each other or two or more can be linked to         provide a desired effect on the Erg.     -   As an enhancement to the on-water feel of the EASE on an Erg, an         embodiment of this invention is a feedback system could be added         that would measure the amount the extent of the motion absorbed         by the device. This measurement would then be displayed in real         time to the user as feedback on the quality or smoothness of         their technique at either the finish or catch. The linear         measurement parameters taken could include force, acceleration,         velocity, displacement or a combination of these. The rotational         measurement parameters taken could include torque, angular         acceleration, angular velocity, and angular displacement or a         combination of these. Additional measurements could include         roll, pitch, and yaw of the front, rear, or both being used         simultaneously. A further embodiment of the measurements would         be to display one or both of the finish and catch simultaneously         to the user. Additional algorithms could be used to develop a         boat motion model for an Erg boat race simulation. In this         simulation, the more smoothness demonstrated by a user on the         Erg the faster the users simulated boat would move. The         measurements could also be stored over the duration of the         exercise and displayed subsequently as a history of performance.     -   In some embodiments, a mechanism comprising a single piece of         resilient material can be used. The single piece of an         appropriate flexible material in a shape that can accept the Erg         and is designed to yield the appropriate compliance and         energy-absorbing characteristics needed.     -   The enclosure may include front leg supports in the form of a         separate enclosure or a linkage system that operates in         conjunction to the rear system.     -   The EASE design could be applied as an integral feature in an         Erg as originally manufactured. In this case the EASE can be         integrated into the leg sections, foot stretchers, or         translating seat of the improved Ergometer design.     -   In some embodiments, the EASE can be integrated into the leg         sections, foot stretchers, or translating seat, or other         appropriate locations of the Ergometer design, or to general         exercise equipment.

In an after-market application, the user would attach an EASE to one or more of the rear legs or rear and the front legs and begin using the Erg in a substantially normal manner.

To illustrate a further embodiment of this invention, FIG. 3 illustrates possible combinations of the finish and catch EASE apparatus with front or rear height supports and measurement/monitors for performance management. When deployed in the combination neither the front nor rear supports are necessary and an optional monitor for both finish and catch performance is combined on one display. 

1. An energy-absorbing suspension apparatus (“EASE”) for use in conjunction with a general exercise equipment, comprising: an energy absorbing component having a first shape in the absence of a force applied by a user, said energy absorbing component configured to change shape so as to absorb energy in response to application of a compressive force by the user, and configured to return to substantially its first shape in response to the removal of said compressive force; an attachment structure configured to connect said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus to said exercise equipment; and an attachment structure configured to permit said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus to be located on a rigid support; whereby said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus is configured to reduce a reaction force exerted on a user of said exercise equipment.
 2. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said general exercise equipment comprises a rowing machine.
 3. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 2, wherein said rowing machine comprises an indoor rowing machine.
 4. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 2, wherein said energy absorbing component is configured to simulate the behavior of a shell operated on water.
 5. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing component is configured as an attachment to a rowing machine.
 6. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1; wherein said energy absorbing component is integrated into a rowing machine.
 7. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, further optionally comprising guiding elements configured to constrain the lateral motion of said energy absorbing component in response to an application of said compressive force thereto.
 8. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, further optionally comprising an enclosure positioned about said energy absorbing component.
 9. One or more of said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, in combination with a general exercise machine; each of said one or more energy-absorbing suspension apparatus connected to a support member of said general exercise machine.
 10. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, in combination with a general exercise machine and a non-energy-absorbing suspension apparatus, said non-energy-absorbing suspension apparatus configured to level said general exercise machine when applied in combination with said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus.
 11. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing component comprises a selected one of an elastomer, a metal, a liquid and a gas.
 12. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing component comprises a shape selected from one of a tube, a strip, a ring, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring, and a washer spring.
 13. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a measurement system configured to measure amount of energy absorbed by said energy-absorbing suspension apparatus.
 14. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to record said amount of energy absorbed.
 15. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to display the amount of energy absorbed.
 16. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to measure a selected one of a force, an acceleration, a velocity, and a displacement.
 17. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to measure a selected one of a torque, an angular acceleration, an angular velocity, and an angular displacement.
 18. The energy-absorbing suspension apparatus of claim 13, wherein said measurement system is configured to measure a selected one of a roll, a pitch, and a yaw. 